The Blinding Power of Pride

Mary C.M. Phillips’s guest post for Emma in the Snow explores connections between Emma and Persuasion, focusing on the dangers of pride. Mary writes about Jane Austen and Edith Wharton at CaffeineEpiphanies.com, and her stories and essays have been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, A Cup of Comfort, Bad Austen: The Worst Stories Jane Never Wrote, and other anthologies.

She’s a member of JASNA’s New York Metropolitan Region, and as a musician she has toured nationally with Matthew Sweet, Rob Bartlett, and Barry Mitchell. For my Mansfield Park series last year, she contributed a guest post on Mary Crawford’s famous question about Fanny Price, “Pray, is she out, or is she not?” I hope you’ll enjoy reading what she has to say about pride in Emma.

Halifax in the snow. From the first major snowstorm of the year, which hit Nova Scotia earlier this week.

The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee. — Obadiah 3 (KJV)

Pride refers to an inflated sense of self and it’s a major theme in Jane Austen’s novels. It can blind characters to the truth and make them less likeable. In Chapter 7 of Emma, Emma Woodhouse’s interpretation of Robert Martin’s letter to Harriet Smith and her poor judgement of character are strongly influenced by the blinding power of pride.

After Mr. Martin sends a fine, well-crafted proposal of marriage to Harriet, Emma’s “disposition to think a little too well of herself” (Chapter 1) takes over. She is suddenly unable to see clearly. She does see that the letter is one of quality, but she cannot see that the writer of the letter is a person of quality. She persuades Harriet to refuse Mr. Martin’s proposal.

This is the first time I truly dislike Emma. I cannot help but dislike her as she blatantly takes someone’s future into her own hands and handles it badly. She treats both Harriet and Mr. Martin as pawns, without the slightest concern as to the consequences of her misguided advice. Emma believes she cannot make a mistake, and in this belief she reminds me very much of Lady Russell in Persuasion, who persuades a young Anne Elliot to give up Frederick Wentworth. Like Emma, Lady Russell is a woman of good taste, but she is blinded by pride:

She was a benevolent, charitable, good woman, and capable of strong attachments; most correct in her conduct, strict in her notions of decorum, and with manners that were held a standard of good-breeding. She had a cultivated mind, and was, generally speaking, rational and consistent—but she had prejudices on the side of ancestry; she had a value for rank and consequence, which blinded her a little to the faults of those who possessed them. (Chapter 2)

Emma, like Lady Russell, goes through life seeing (and judging) people as she chooses to see (and judge) them. The scene in which Emma attempts to draw a portrait of Harriet offers a good example of the difficulty she has in seeing and accepting things as they are. “You have made her too tall, Emma,” says Mr. Knightley (Chapter 6). Mr. Knightley, aptly named, is the only person who speaks truth without distorted perception.

Over and over again, we see examples of Emma’s blindness. She’s unable to see Mr. Martin’s good qualities or Harriet’s faults; she’s unable to see Mr. Elton’s infatuation with her and lack of infatuation with Harriet. She is also completely blind to the romance between Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill—granted, so are most readers—and even blind to the fact that she is in love with Mr. Knightley. Shouldn’t a young woman who is “handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition” be able to see things more clearly?

On the very first page of Emma, Austen finishes her initial description of Emma with a hint that—for Emma—things are never what they seem. “Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence, and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her” (emphasis added).

Austen tells us right from the beginning that Emma is a heroine with faults that she is unaware of: “The real evils indeed of Emma’s situation were the power of having rather too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself…. The danger, however, was at present so unperceived, that they did not by any means rank as misfortunes with her” (Chapter 1).

Mr. Knightley tries to reason with Emma. He sees people for who they are and is frustrated when Emma becomes delusional. When Emma announces that Harriet has refused his good friend Mr. Martin, he objects strongly.

“Not Harriet’s equal!” exclaimed Mr. Knightley loudly and warmly; and with calmer asperity, added, a few moments afterwards, “No, he is not her equal indeed, for he is as much her superior in sense as in situation. Emma, your infatuation about that girl blinds you. What are Harriet Smith’s claims, either of birth, nature or education, to any connection higher than Robert Martin?” (Chapter 8)

I must add that I have wondered if it was actually Mr. Knightley who wrote the letter to Harriet for Mr. Martin (just as Emma dictates a response for Harriet). But then, I wonder if I am being a bit Emma-like in doubting Mr. Martin’s capabilities.

Thankfully, all turns out for the best. Harriet does not seek Emma’s advice when Mr. Martin proposes a second time (just as Anne Elliot does not seek Lady Russell’s advice the second time around). They have all learned from their mistakes. Emma, reluctant to admit her mistakes, finally realizes how dangerous pride can be:

Emma was quite relieved, and could presently say, with a little more composure, “You probably have been less surprized than any of us, for you have had your suspicions.—I have not forgotten that you once tried to give me a caution.—I wish I had attended to it—but—” (with a sinking voice and a heavy sigh) “I seem to have been doomed to blindness.” (Chapter 49)

Emma’s feelings are similar to Lady Russell’s at the end of Persuasion, in a passage where Captain Wentworth’s name could easily be replaced with that of Mr. Martin (and Mr. Elliot’s with that of Mr. Elton):

She must learn to feel that she had been mistaken with regard to both; that she had been unfairly influenced by appearances in each; that because Captain Wentworth’s manners had not suited her own ideas, she had been too quick in suspecting them to indicate a character of dangerous impetuosity; and that because Mr. Elliot’s manners had precisely pleased her in their propriety and correctness, their general politeness and suavity, she had been too quick in receiving them as the certain result of the most correct opinions and well-regulated mind. (Chapter 24)

The blinding power of pride is an essential ingredient in Austen’s novels. It causes characters in books—as in real life—to make poor decisions, many of which have severe consequences for others. In Austen’s novels I am grateful for second chances and the opportunity for characters to come to a greater understanding of their mistakes. I only wish that, in this regard, life could be more like an Austen novel.

Quotations are from the Everyman’s Library edition of Emma (1991) and the Dover edition of Persuasion (1997).

Eighth in a series of blog posts celebrating 200 years of Jane Austen’s Emma. To read more about all the posts in the series, visit Emma in the Snow. Coming soon: guest posts by Diana Birchall, Carol Chernega, and Janet Todd.

Subscribe by email or follow the blog so you don’t miss these fabulous contributions to the celebrations! And/or follow along by connecting with me on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter (@Sarah_Emsley).

Related

Post navigation

17 thoughts on “The Blinding Power of Pride”

Interesting to draw these thematic connections among the novels! I think you’ve put your finger on something essential in Jane Austen’s themes, and crystallized for me an idea that was rattling around unexpressed in the back of my mind—the great reward of reading literary analysis. In Emma’s case, I would tend to be more severe than you and call it arrogance—worse than simple pride. When I reread the novel last year I kept noticing how, in her direct dialogue and in the indirect reporting of her thoughts, Emma often used the word “elegance” as a stick to beat people with. Their minds, their persons lacking the elegance she demanded; seeking to buttress her position in Highbury by slighting others. I’m probably extra-severe on her, though, because she reminds me of myself at her age.

Thanks Abigail. I agree with everything you’re saying and found myself often angry at Emma. I think the fact that she is motherless is what gives me pause. I kept thinking “had she had a mother, perhaps she would have behaved differently.” Maybe that’s just me. I know Miss Taylor was a good influence, but she was not the best in terms of discipline. Thanks for reading!

I think it’s so interesting that Jane Austen talked about Emma as a heroine most people wouldn’t like very much, and then gave her character traits that many of us recognize in ourselves, or perhaps in younger versions of ourselves. I’m including myself in this, of course. I like that Austen explores what can happen to someone who has “the power of having rather too much her own way.”

I also have an adverse reaction to Emma, although I don’t think she’s trying to buttress her position. I don’t think she has a doubt in the world of her position. But, she thinks mainly in terms of rights and privileges, not in terms of responsibility or obligation.

I like the parallel between Emma and Lady Russell. Both are proud as well as snobbish, and place undue emphasis on manners. As you say, pride can be truly blinding.

Now, one or two small points. Harriet is a short girl, and, in taking ler likeness, Emma deliberately makes her tall, which actually would be even worse, as, not content with shaping “her opinions and her manners” she would seem intent on changing her physically too.

Emma appears quite conscious of Harriet’s limitations: “strength of understanding must not be expected,” and feels “the bad taste of her friend,” who objects to the shortness of her suitor’s letter. She’s also aware of Mr Martin’s good qualities: “No doubt he is a sensible man, and I suppose may have a natural talent for—thinks strongly and clearly—and when he takes a pen in hand, his thoughts naturally find proper words. It is so with some men. Yes, I understand the sort of mind. Vigorous, decided, with sentiments to a certain point, not coarse.” Yet she thinks he’s not genteel enough for Harriet, which begs the question, what on earth might have led her to believe she’s a gentleman’s daughter? But then how else could she be her close friend? As Mr Knightley puts it, Emma “will never submit to any thing requiring … a subjection of the fancy to the understanding.”

At least she readily acknowledges her mistakes, while “Lady Russell must be suffering some pain in understanding and relinquishing Mr. Elliot, and be making some struggles to become truly acquainted with, and do justice to Captain Wentworth” – hateful woman! 😦

Thanks Monica! Good point regarding Harriet. I’m glad you quoted Mr. Martin’s letter. It confirms my suspicion that Mr. Knightley may have indeed dictated the letter (proposal) to his friend (as Emma dictates a response to Harriet). I think it would ironic — and so Austen-like — to do that. Emma’s description of the letter is the same description she might give in describing Mr. Knightley. Just a thought. Thanks for reading!

I love the idea of Mr Knightley having a hand in writing in Robert Martin’s letter! My image is more of him being a “sound board” i.e. Robert Martin hands it to Mr Knightley for his view on it. I envision Mr Knightley suggesting a few general ideas. Disclaimer: Mr Knightley is my favorite Austen hero…by a wide margin.

I wish I had read Emma first before seeing an adaption(also saw S&S and P&P before reading them). Would I still like her…hmmm? I grew up in a town with a lot of Emma like “characters”. I too enjoy the comparison of Emma and Lady Russell.

The comparison with Lady Russell is interesting. It’s true, they’re both trying to manage what isn’t, strictly speaking, theirs to manage. Lady R may have a bit more excuse in that she’s for a long time been in the role of a mother to Anne – I believe Austen says that more or less explicitly. And, I think we can attribute much more benevolence and altruism to Lady R’s behavior than we can to Emma’s. Lady R wants what is best for Anne, in Lady R’s limited understanding of “best.” Emma wants to exercise her powers. Frankly, Emma seems bored.

Emma clearly has a personal disposition to pride. With Lady R, it seems more stuffy, class consciousness or simply, “this is the way things are done.” I don’t have a sense that she’s got personal pride. More, the correct thing to do is to marry someone of a certain background. Austen makes clear that Lady R is limited in understanding, hidebound, you might say. Wentworth doesn’t look quite like what she thinks eligibility should look like and has a whiff of risk – that’s enough to set off alarm bells in her mind. But, again, it seems more a class thing or a this is what she was raised to expect and this is what is safe, than actually too much personal pride.

Thanks for commenting. You make some very points, particularly in Lady Russell’s relationship to Anne. There is certainly (in Lady Russell) a mixture of social pride and sense of responsibility. Anne, however, was able to see Frederick Wentworth’s potential, which Lady Russell missed. But as you mention, Lady R, does have Anne’s best interest at heart (and I agree, Emma does seemed bored). Thanks for reading and commenting.

Excellent article and your analysis of Emma is right on. I love Emma but I did not like her interference in Harriet s relationship with Robert Martin. She also has prejudice in most of the characters in the story. Jane Fairfax also took the brunt of her prejudice as well as the Bates.

Welcome!

I write about Jane Austen, Jane Austen for kids, and Edith Wharton. Sometimes I post about other writers I admire, such as L.M. Montgomery, and about places I love (especially Nova Scotia and Alberta). I taught writing at Harvard University before I decided to come home to Nova Scotia to write full time.

An invitation to subscribe

Enter your email address to follow my blog and hear about new posts by email.

Youth and Experience

A new blog series celebrating 200 years of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

Meta

"I must keep to my own style & go on in my own Way; And though I may never succeed again in that, I am convinced that I should totally fail in any other." Jane Austen to James Stanier Clarke, 1 April 1816

An invitation to subscribe

Enter your email address to follow my blog and hear about new posts by email.